How should leaves, sticks, and other materials be handled when taking a soil sample?

When taking a soil sample for lead risk assessment, it is imperative to exclude leaves, sticks, and other surface materials from the sampling process. This is because the goal is to analyze the soil composition below the organic debris. Organic materials can introduce contaminants or alter the chemical composition of the sample, leading to inaccurate results regarding the lead content.

By excluding these materials, you ensure that the sample reflects the true soil composition, which is critical for assessing the risk of lead exposure. The focus remains on the soil that is more likely to influence the potential exposure pathways for contaminants, rather than the organic matter that can vary widely and may not be relevant to the assessment of lead risk.